Let us tell you a life story about a man named, Jerry Corners, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his farm.
On February 9, 1942 in Centralia, Illinois, he was born to Raymond “Bud” Corners and Helen (Hoffman) Corners.
Jerry started his life’s journey helping on the Corners family farm. He then decided to go to college at Murray State College and earn his Bachelor’s Degree. After all these years even later in life, he would go to Murray State to watch the Racers Basketball games. Jerry then met a sweet gal named, Judy Tryan, and on September 16, 1978 they decided to get hitched. Jerry and Judy spent 48 wonderful years making a lot of memories along the way.
Jerry worked for International Harvester for several years and returned home to the farm. The Farm life was deep in his veins. He owned and operated J Bar H Rodeo in Camdenton, Missouri and was a past President of the Southern Illinois Beef Association. Jerry even owned a few horses and cattle over the years. He was a true Cowboy, which is a way of life built on integrity, hard work, and grit, rather than just riding horses.
He was active with the Tri County Electric Board from 1981-2013, Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, and the Jefferson County Merritt Board. Jerry also served on the Woodlawn High School Board for several years.
Those left to celebrate his life are his wife, Judy Corners of Centralia; son: Blaine Corners and wife Becky of Prospect, Tennessee; five grandchildren: Zachary Corners of Centralia, Monique Corners of Evansville, Indiana, Isabella Corners of Auburn, Alabama, and Savannah Corners of Murray, Kentucky; one great-granddaughter: Myra Davis; sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Corners of Centralia and Linda Willis of Nixa, Missouri, his two nephews: Brent Corners and wife Ashley of Woodlawn, and Blake Corners and wife Brittany of O’Fallon, IL; great nephew and great nieces: Callen Lee Corners, Aftynn Jane Corners and Ava Lynn Corners all of Woodlawn.
Jerry was reunited in Heaven with his parents, his brother: Rick Corners, his daughter: Shannan Corners, and his grandson: Jacob White.
We will be Celebrating Jerry’s Life on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Fouts Christian Church in Centralia with Pastor Jerry Wilson officiating. He will be laid to rest at Fouts Christian Church Cemetery in Centralia following his Celebration of Life. A visitation for family and friends to gather will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the church and also Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fouts Cemetery Association and/or Fouts Christian Church and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Jerry’s Family. Online condolences may be made to Jerry’s Family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.